Neurology Residency

The Spectrum Health/Michigan State University Neurology Residency offers a variety of inpatient and outpatient experiences, providing a robust and diverse training environment for resident neurologists, preparing them well to go on to fellowship opportunities or general neurology practice. The overall goal of our program is to prepare individuals to be competent clinical neurologists. This is accomplished through an educational plan designed to provide increasing responsibility in patient care over the four years of training so that residents reach a level of competence in the independent care of patients with neurological disease by the end of their training.

For Applicants

The overall goal of our residency program is to prepare individuals to be competent clinical neurologists. This will be accomplished through an educational plan designed to provide increasing responsibility in patient care over the four-years of training so that the resident neurologist reaches a level of competence in the independent care of patients with neurological disease by the end of their residency. It is our expectation that trainees will provide excellent and compassionate care for those with acute and chronic neurological conditions, will become life-long independent learners, and will enhance their understanding of neurological disease. All training will be accomplished in an environment that maximizes resident education, patient safety and the well-being of the resident physicians.

Our faculty are invested in the development of this program and are excited about our first class of residents. We welcome you to consider this unique opportunity to be part of a new neurology training program. We are truly building the future here.

Cynthia Hingtgen, MD, PhD, FAAN

Program Director

Spectrum Health/Michigan State University College of Human Medicine Neurology Residency Program

Section Chief, Neurology Integrated Care Campus Beltline (ICCB)

Department of Clinical Neurosciences

Our neurology residency is a four year program. All blocks are four weeks in length, totaling 13 per academic year. A special block dedicated to learning neuroanatomy, neurological examination techniques and the concepts of neurological localization will occur in the PGY-1 year. All PGY-1 residents will take this block together. Residents will take overnight in-hospital call approximately one night every six days for PGY-2-four years. Residents will participate in continuity clinics one half day per week in the PGY-2-four years.

Rotations

PGY-1:

Six blocks internal medicine: including one block in the medical intensive care unit and one block of cardiology

One block pediatrics

Two blocks emergency medicine

One block neurological localization

One block psychiatry

One block inpatient neurology

One block outpatient neurology

PGY-2:

Seven blocks inpatient neurology

Two blocks outpatient neurology

Two blocks pediatric neurology

Two blocks neuro-intensive care unit

PGY-3:

One block psychiatry

One block pediatric neurology

One block neuroradiology

One block neuro-ophthalmology

Three blocks EMG and neuromuscular

Three blocks EEG and epilepsy

Three blocks electives

PGY-4:

Five blocks inpatient neurology

One block pediatric neurology

Four blocks outpatient neurology

Three blocks electives

Didactics

We provide various educational opportunities during your training.

Transition of care/morning report–Daily

Discuss new admissions and change over patients

Neuroscience grand rounds–Every-other week for two hours

Neurophysiology–Weekly

Learn basic science and clinic topics involved in conducting EEGs, EMGs, evoked potentials and in the care of patients with epilepsy and neuromuscular disease.

Didactic lecture topics–Weekly

Covering concepts in the clinical presentation, pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment of common neurological diseases

Quality assurance–Monthly

Morbidity and mortality conference

Journal club–Monthly

Stroke lectures–Monthly

Neuropathology lecture modules

Evidenced-based medicine modules

Ethics modules

Interesting case conferences

Research
All residents, beginning in their PGY-2 year, will participate in a three-year integrative scholarly research program to become familiar with the methods, regulations and ethics involved in the conduct of responsible research. Toward that end, this research program will 1) provide the resident with training and experience in planning and conducting research, and 2) educate the residents in how to be better consumers of clinical research through didactic and experiential learning. This project includes understanding the concepts of evidence-based medicine and putting those practices to use, demonstrating knowledge of the ethical considerations involved in clinical research, hypothesis generation and data analysis, mastering skills for scientific writing and making oral presentations.

For research support, the scholarly activity support team can assist you. The scholarly activity support team also offers biostatistics consultation, and poster preparation. Residents will be expected to submit their work for presentation at an institutional Research Day.

We participate in the National Residency Matching Program. Applications and the following documents are accepted only through the Electronic Residency Application Service. We require:

Good communication skills

Should have scores of 220 or higher on both step 1 and step 2 of the USMLE on your first attempt

Three letters of recommendation

Must pass the CS exam on the first attempt.

Recent clinical experience within the United States

Graduation from medical school within the past three years

All applicants must possess U.S. work authorization or be eligible for J-1 status

DO applicants: We prefer USMLE Steps 1 and 2 but will accept COMLEX 1 and 2. Step 2 exam results are encouraged, but not required prior to your interview. Results for Step 2 CK and Step 2 CS exam must be available to be considered for ranking.

For more information on our program, contact Susan Grice, program coordinator.

Spectrum Health provides a comprehensive and very competitive benefits package for our residents, staff and their families. In addition, our program provides educational monies to support your ongoing education. Download our salary and benefits document to learn more.

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The content on this website is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult a physician regarding your specific medical condition, diagnosis and/or treatment.